Replies

1. 
   mike4244 | Mar 22, 2009 03:15am | #1

   I do mostly spindle turning so the length would be 48" or less. That is about the longest my homemade lathe will handle.

   Hopefull bowl turners will chime in here if I'm mistaken. I would think that for bowls that the diameter of the log would be the longest piece .The exceptions would be if a longer piece was turned in the middle sections only,leaving "ears or handles " to be carved such as boat shaped pieces.

   More experienced bowl turners should chime in on how to preserve your log cuts,cutting green,etc.

   mike

2. 
   KeithNewton | Mar 22, 2009 03:17am | #2

   Alan, I use 12' for my standard length, simply because that is the length of the bed for my Woodmizer LT 15. Also, since I have a grab bucket on the tractor, when I put the fork-lift tines on it, for handling the lumber, I had to make some pallets from 2 x 8 material to get enough room between stacks for easier handling.

   Other than that, I always like having the longest lengths I can get on the front end, because I can cut them down for best yield, but there will always be more waste in shorter lengths.

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 22, 2009 04:35am | #3

   Keith and Mike,

   I went back and edited my post to indicate future turnings of bowls, vases, etc.  Not spindles.

   Keith,

   For lumber, I agree with you.  I generally try to cut at least 8' lengths, maybe up to 12.  I haven't needed much of anything over 8' because I just don't build things that long -- yet.

   Mike,

   Thanks.  I have heard from a couple bowl turners that I should cut the sections about 4 inches longer than the diameter of the log.  Helps, they say, dealing with checks.

   Alan - planesaw

   Edited 3/21/2009 9:37 pm ET by Planesaw

1. 
   bill5335 | Mar 23, 2009 07:48pm | #8

   Do you plan on rough turning the bowls when the wood is still green?  The method works well for me. Plus, it's a lot of fun turning green wood, you will feel like Superman.

   I took down an ash 2 years ago.  As I was grubbing out the stump and roots, I found a few pieces large enough for 8 inch diameter bowls. Very interesting grain patterns.

    

   Bill

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 24, 2009 01:57am | #9

   Probably will rough turn some.  May get the other two logs cut into lumber.

   Alan - planesaw

3. 
   DustyGeorge | Mar 23, 2009 04:53am | #4

   Alan,

   You may have a fortune on your hands.  Check out the "I'm Rich" thread at http://forums.taunton.com/fw-knots/messages?msg=46033.3

   George

   You don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard
1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 23, 2009 05:05am | #5

   George,

   You could be right.  Some sandblasting on these logs and I could have something that looks real close to those. 

   Alan - planesaw

1. 
   DustyGeorge | Mar 23, 2009 05:35am | #6

   Yes, but do you have the artistic talent to pick out just the right rock to set on the stump.

   GeorgeYou don't stop laughing because you grow old.  You grow old because you stop laughing. - Michael Pritchard<!----><!----><!---->

   <!----><!---->

1. 
   alanplanesaw | Mar 23, 2009 06:05am | #7

   Probably not, but I have a couple of grandkids who are expert rock collectors.  They can walk across a gravel parking lot and find, what to them, are the most fascinating rocks they have ever seen.  Pockets are filled. 

   Oh, I just thought.  I'll bet those are Pet Rocks left over from that craze some years ago.  :-)

   Alan - planesaw